It wasn't long before Mai started hearing the rumors. Whispers that said any missing nin would be forgiven of their crimes if they helped in the upcoming war. However Mai had a feeling that it wouldn't apply to her, especially since she was suspected of being allied with the shinobi nation's current enemies. She wandered restlessly, moving from village to village with no clear direction. She often thought of Naoki's last words to her and wondered how the older woman might be doing. After what seemed like months the last call for help went out and Mai started to make her way to the meeting place of the 5 great nations' fighting forces. If she were found out she would be caught once more and tortured for information but she was determined to go. She had to help and she would never be able to forgive herself if the world fell to her former master and she hadn't been there to help fight.

She easily slipped into the crowd, her mask preventing anyone from recognizing her. Her previous mask had broken during the trip out of Suna. It had taken time to find a new one but she was satisfied with the replacement. She fell into rank with the shinobi assigned to Dauri's platoon. The seemingly lazy demeanor of the commander made it easy for her to hide in the group without too much trouble. It helped that the group was mainly made up of people that wouldn't recognize her. In keeping with her group she tried to stay as far away from Gaara's platoon as possible. It seemed as if a larger percentage of that group was made up of sand shinobi and she knew she could be caught if she hung around too long. Taking a deep breath she stood and waited for the commanders to make their next move.

Gaara looked into the crowd. His eyes caught on a shinobi with no obvious gear affiliating them with a specific nation. For a moment he wondered if it could be Mai and then shook himself. She was far away from here, living in exile. Besides the mask that the unknown shinobi wore was not a made to look like a shinobi but a large bird. Focusing he broke up the small fights that were cropping up and started his speech. He needed those he was commanding to understand why they were fighting…. Why he was fighting…

Mai smirked as she cut down another white zetsu. These monsters were too easy to kill. The main problem they posed was their sheer numbers. Thousands of them kept walking out of the surf, ready to fight the next shinobi. Mai paused as a certain red head entered her thoughts… was he okay...? She looked up as a shinobi from her division called to her. "Hey, how's it going over here?" The man asked. He looked like he was from the hidden stone with his red armor and bandana. "Fine." She replied, "The enemy isn't very skilled but they certainly have the numbers." The ninja nodded, coming closer. "Well they might have a few more tricks up their sleeves, so be careful." Mai nodded and was about to turn back to the beach when the ninja suddenly pulled out a kunai and stabbed her in the abdomen. "What?" Mai spluttered as she lunged to cut him down with her blades. She managed to get a hit before the man pulled out the kunai in her abdomen and buried it there once more. This time the blade went as deep as the hilt could manage. "Sweet dreams." The shinobi said and walked away as Mai fell. "Gaara-" Mai whispered and then fell unconscious.

-Genin-

The kid sighed as he climbed along the rock cliff. The battle had moved elsewhere and he was one of the few unlucky souls stuck with clean up. A few genin from each village were chosen for this job. They were all too young for combat but any able bodied shinobi that weren't left to protect their village were needed for the war. It was important to collect the injured that had been left behind but it could be gruesome. He frowned as he thought of the few he had found too late to help. Just as he was about to turn back and declare the area clear he saw the glint of a sword. Steeling himself he jumped down toward the weapon and tried to find its master. It wasn't long before he found a masked woman in a pool of her own blood. He stooped down and felt for the woman's pulse. After a few moments he got up and started running toward the makeshift aid station. The woman was alive but not for much longer… If he could find a medic soon they might be able to save her. He pushed himself faster as he thought of the masked woman. She only had a few breaths left…

-Mai-

The first thing Mai noticed was the weight of her body. It seemed so much heavier than the darkness she had been floating in earlier. She took a deep breath and winced as pain flared in her abdomen. She groaned slightly and opened her eyes. Sighing she forced herself to sit up. Where was she? She looked around and immediately guessed that it was a medic tent. People were rushing around, trying to patch up as many as they could. She scrubbed a hand across her face and suddenly realized her mask was gone. How had it-? 'Of course' Mai thought. When she had been stabbed she had been severely wounded. That had caused a drop in her chakra and the jutsu that maintained her mask had broken. Mai grit her teeth. She must have been in pretty bad shape for that jutsu to quit. While Mai was still thinking a frazzled, young looking medic came over and greeted her. "Umm, you're awake!" The young girl said excitedly. Mai was about to reply when Naoki walked over, a somber look in her eyes. "Naoki?" The younger woman questioned. "Hey." Naoki replied smiling. "What?" Mai said. Knowing something was bothering the medic. "You're in the medical tent because you were wounded. Do you remember that?" Mai nodded. "You've been in here since the war was over." Mai's eyes widened, "It's over?" She said quietly. . Naoki nodded and smiled softly, "It's done, we defeated them. Apparently your mask was broken after you were found." Mai allowed herself a small smile. Her mask had been broken during the battle but it seemed as if she no longer needed it. It felt good to not wear it.

Naoki heard someone call her over as one of the patients woke up confused and violent. "I'll be right back okay?" Mai nodded and closed her eyes again. It was good to see the medic again. She had missed the somewhat spunky attitude the woman had. It had been hard the past few months wandering. She was used to traveling but this time she no longer had a goal or a home to go back to. Sighing Mia looked up as the young nurse walked toward her again this time with a solemn look on her face. "You're from commander Dauri's platoon, right?" Mai nodded. "Would you say you were found near or on the beach after the first wave of white zetsu, before they revealed their copy justsu. "Copy Jutsu?" Mai questioned. "After a while the zetsu were found to have the ability to copy a shinobi's chakra signature and physical traits." Mai's eyebrows rose. "Well that explained why one of the shinobi from the hidden rock stabbed me." The young nin nodded. "But you were found on the beach, right?" Mai nodded again. "There wan't any name that went along with your chart but your injuries were quite severe." Mai smirked, "Apparently not severe enough to kill me." The nurse nodded but her expression darkened. "You're wounds have not killed you but there's too much scar tissue left over. We were only able to half heal you considering the circumstances and now you'll have a few… complications." Mai kept her expression blank but inwardly her breath caught in her chest and her wound burned. "What kind of complications?" She asked. "I'm sorry but… you'll never be able to have children." Mai swallowed hard. She knew the chances of having a child were low anyway. She hadn't ever expected to fall in love and the idea of reviving her clan was a faraway dream that was finally killed with her banishment from Suna and Gaara. But this news… the finality of it was devastating. She silently got up, gathered her things and walked out. She didn't hear the nurse calling for her or notice Naoki running out of the tent a few moments later. She was gone… running once more.

-Months Later-

Mai let a small smile grace her lips. She was traveling the world once more. It had taken her a long time to make peace of her situation but she could finally take a day at a time and continue her nomadic life style. She often thought of Suna and the family she had left there. Of all her regrets her greatest was never making amends with them. Shaking herself she made her way to the next village. Each town brought new cultures and people. She wouldn't let the memories of her past haunt her any longer. Mai walked into town looking for any good food stalls. She was used to the stares she got now that she didn't wear her mask. Her tattoos brought attention both good and bad. However she refused to hide any longer. Her ink was the last of her clan and she would wear them with pride. It wasn't long before Mai noticed two shadows following her. She quickly ducked into an ally and waited for them to follow her. "What do you want?" She questioned the two shinobi. They froze, measuring the situation. "We were sent with a message for you from the Kazekage." Mai didn't allow any emotion to show as she held out her hand. "Well." The taller of the two walked up and handed her a rolled piece of paper. As they started to leave Mai called out, "Does he not want a response?" Again the taller one responded. "You can deliver it yourself." Mai frowned a bit and then looked at the paper. Sighing she put it in her pocket and continued on her quest for a food stand. She would need something on her stomach before she read what Gaara had to say.

Evening…

Mai was sitting by a stream when she pulled out the paper. Carefully she unrolled it and started reading.

To: Mai, former member of wandering squad of suna

After a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding your banishment from the hidden village of Sand and in light of the ending of the 4th Shinobi war we have come to the conclusion that your exile was a misjudgment from lack of information. With new evidence that came to light and the understanding that at the time you were not a citizen of Suna and had rights outside of our laws we would like to inform you that your exile is no longer in place and with the proper passport you would be allowed into the Land of Wind and ultimately Suna once more if you so choose to. Thank you for your patience and contribution to the war.

Signed, Suna Council

Mai stared at the small paragraph, not comprehending what was just sent to her. It couldn't be that easy could it? Mai raked a hand through her hair and was about to put the note away when an even smaller piece of paper fell out from the fold. Her hand shook as she picked up the paper. She recognized Gaara's hand writing. It was something she would never forget. There's a passport waiting for you at the border if you want it. Mai gripped the small paper tightly as a single tear fell down her cheek. Suddenly she burst out laughing. It was if a weight had been thrown off her chest just for another to replace it. She was finally free to go home… but would she really be welcome? Steeling herself she packed up her meager possession and started on her way. She wasn't going to get any sleep until she had settled her regrets and paid her debts. Facing south she started making her way slowly to Suna, hopeful that it would be the last time she would have return. (Alludes to fact that she hopes she won't have to leave again – thus not having to return.)

-Suna-

Gaara looked out his small office window toward the horizon. Dusk was still his favorite time of day. It closed one day and started another, leaving the night open for so many options. Sighing he turned back to his rather large pile of paperwork. The war had taken a toll on the Country of Wind. Not only were their number of able bodied shinobi considerably low but their financial state wasn't much better. Suna had been having trouble before, considering that their Diamiyo still paid mostly foreign ninja to complete the jobs his own shinobi needed. It was frustrating dealing with someone who knew they were undercutting their own fighting force but simply didn't care. The few times he had actually met with the Daimiyo even Gaara's patience had been pushed to its limit. He had spent that night in the desert burning off his anger by destroying sand storms. Gaara clenched his jaw and sat down at his desk. He had to find a way for Suna to start sustaining itself. The major mode of employment in the city was shinobi but if jobs didn't pick up soon the hidden village would need to turn to other types of employment for work. Gaara was just about to pick up his pen when someone walked into his office. Looking up Gaara wasn't surprised to see it was Kankuro. He raised an eyebrow and waited for his brother to explain. It wasn't often that his older sibling walked into his office at the end of the day. When it did happen it was often because something important had occurred. "You are not going to believe who I just ran into." Gaara's eyebrows furrowed slightly. Did Kankuro interrupt him just to talk about an old acquaintance? The red head motioned for his brother to continue. "Mai.", was all Kankuro had to say and Gaara stiffened. He didn't expect for the younger woman to ever return. The messengers he'd sent out had returned weeks ago and when she hadn't shown up soon after he had just assumed she wasn't interested.

"You're sure?" He asked, trying to keep his expression blank. Kankuro nodded, "It couldn't be anyone but her. I caught her just after she had entered the gates. A few of the gate guards flagged me down to let me know she had come back. They were worried considering she was still exiled a month ago." Gaara nodded. "It's good that they let you know."

The red head was about to go back to reading reports when a hand slammed down on his desk. "So what are you going to do?"

"Do?" Gaara questioned.

"Yes little brother. Look she's come all this way and she's not exactly going to be winning any popularity awards any time soon. So as one of her few friends in the area you need to go see her."

Gaara looked up coldy. "After what happened before the war I doubt she considers me a friend any longer."

Kankuro's mouth tightened as he crossed his arms. "Are you serious?"

Gaara simply looked at his brother and then back at his paperwork. "If that's all I have work to finish."

The puppet master grit his teeth and was about to leave when he paused. "She didn't come all this way for the scenery Gaara and it wasn't just for me and Temari. You know that."

Kankuro left, quietly shutting the door behind him and Gaara ran a hand through his hair once more. "Why did she come back?" He asked. Resigned he diligently went back to his paperwork.

-Mai-

She looked out the window of the small motel she was staying in for the moment. She didn't have a lot of money so she had settled for one of the seedier inns in Suna. Emotionless, she watched as cockroach crawled slowly across her "bed" and hissed at her. Immediately she got up and walked out, quickly getting back her money from the warty woman who had greedily grabbed it when she had paid for the room. Looking around to make sure no one was watching she jumped onto the roof of the inn and looked over the landscape. She soon found a relatively flat roof that would support her for the night and hopefully the owner wouldn't ever notice her presence. She settled down with a warm blanket and mat before turning on her back to look at the stars. She had missed the unobstructed view of the sky Suna offered. The stars shinned so brightly it looked as if lamps were light along the dark veil of the atmosphere. Mai smiled to herself and closed her eyes. Sleep came to her faster than it had in months.

When Mai woke up she recognized a familiar presence. "Gaara." She breathed out, letting the scent of desert air wash over her like a cleansing wave. His back was turned to her and looked out pensively toward the sun. "I didn't think you'd come back." He said quietly. Mai sat up and looked at the sunrise. She could hear the layers of hurt and frustration in his voice.

"I wasn't sure if I would." Mai replied.

"Why did you?" He asked. Mai stood up and walked to his side, relishing the desert sun as it rose above the horizon. They could just barely see its outline over the wall of Suna. Its reds and yellow bathed Suna in a new light.

"I have few regrets, but those that I do possess I want to amend before it's too late. I understand that change has already taken its toll on us and things will never be the same. Quite frankly I don't want them to be the same. I will always cherish the time we spent together and I want to be able to remember that time without the pain that I feel now." Gaara kept silent, his eyes fixed on the sunrise. Mai continued, "I'm sorry that I didn't give you the answers I should have. I kept barriers between us that put us both in danger and for that I will never be able to make amends and I cannot ask for forgiveness when I do not deserve it… However, despite the mistakes that I've made I will not apologize for my past and the people who had an influence on me. They were often times not the best of people. They had their flaws, their wounds and they did hurt people, innocent people. But I will not disgrace them. They have helped make me into who I am today. Their challenges and support helped me survive and for that I will always be in debt to them. But no matter how much I am in debt to them I am in debt to you as much or even more." Gaara turned his head slightly, "You helped me onto a path that I never even knew existed. You friendship and … love have kept me together more than once. And to fully respect you, any question that you ask about my past I will answer completely and honestly."

Mai stopped and took a deep breath. She had thought about what to say to Gaara the whole time she had been traveling to Suna. Above all the others she missed him. She missed his red hair, his smirks, the way he barely smiled but to anyone who noticed it was the equivalent of full blown laughter. She missed their nights together… She missed his embrace… Tightening her jaw she waited for Gaara's response.

"I've not had an easy life and when I finally made my way to the right path with the help of Naruto I thought that I would be able to show others the error of their ways like Naruto had done for me. " Gaara paused, taking a deep breath, "For so long after you had left I wondered if I was the one to blame. However I realized that even though I had been ready for what we had become you maybe hadn't been. You, who had about as many relationships as I; was still not ready for what we had together. When you were found at the Summit I felt betrayed and I let that cloud my judgment. But it also cleared my vision to the fact that you were still so much of the wandering nomad I met in the forest that day. I've been waiting to say this for a long while and I thought I'd never get the chance… I'm sorry, for rushing something that wasn't meant to be rushed. I'm sorry for not realizing that you were not ready and opening old wounds. I know how painful the past can be and I'm sorry that what we did was necessary. However, like you, I have things I will not apologize for. I will not apologize for trying to keep my people safe, for that is my path and I will not stray."

Mai nodded, feeling as if a weight was lifted off her chest. "I understand." She said quietly. Gaara looked up as the sky once more and said, "I forgive you Mai." Mai's eyes widened and she turned to the young Kazekage. She smiled an even bigger smile and closed her eyes, letting the sun warm her face.

After Mai and Gaara had talked extensively they parted ways and Mai started to look for another inn to stay in. She knew she couldn't sleep on roofs the rest of her stay. As she was walking through one of Suna's many Bazaars she saw Naoki in one of the stalls. Mai was deciding on whether to walk by or say hello when the older woman spotted her and grinned. Finishing up her transaction the green haired woman made her way over to the nomad. "Mai!" She said and warmly hugged the younger woman. Mai smiled slightly and gently returned the action. "Hello Naoki." She said. "It's been so long. I'm glad you came back." Mai nodded, "Me too." "Are you hungry? I've just finished grocery shopping and I was about to go back and make lunch." "Mai nodded, accepting the invitation and following the medic to her apartment.

When they got back to Naoki's home the older woman started to unpack her groceries. "So, have you seen anyone else besides me and Kankuro since you've been back?" She asked looking at Mai's reaction out of her peripheral vision. Naoki kept her face blank as she nodded, knowing that her friend wanted to specifically know if she had talked to Gaara yet. Naoki smiled as she finished putting away most of her food and started to prepare lunch. Both women made comfortable small talk as they got ready to eat. Mai spoke of the adventures she had had and Naoki talked about the disease that had swept through Suna. Just as they were finished prepping and eating their meal someone walked through the door. "Kankuro." Naoki said happily as she got up from her seat and walked over to the puppeteer. "Hey," He greeted Naoki and kissed her. "I didn't know we had company." Noaki smiled and looked over toward Mai, "I talked her into coming over here when I saw her at the market." Kankuro nodded as he tried to eat some of the leftover meat. "Kankuro, don't use your hands." Naoki scolded as the puppeteer grinned and ate the meat anyway. Naoki rolled her eyes and got up to clean up their meal and prep Kankuro's. The jounin just snatched the bowls away from Naoki and pushed them into the sink. "I'll do those after I eat, you two catch up." Naoki huffed and crossed her arm while Kankuro just ignored her and heaped rice, vegetables and meat into his bowl. "It'll be easier if I do them now-" "I said I'd do them later, I'll do them later. You have a guest anyway, go entertain." The brunette said with a gentle shove against the green haired medic. Naoki couldn't help the smile that pushed away her frown as she kissed Kankuro on the cheek. "Thanks." She said quietly and walked back over to Mai who had been watching the exchange with interest. "Come on, let's go for a walk." Mai nodded and followed Naoki outside.

Once they had gotten back onto the streets the two women wandered the markets and watched as Suna's streets became lively after dusk. Normally it wasn't so festive in the city but after the war the people of Suna had decided to celebrate life was a necessity every once and a while. In light of a small change of heart the city's council of commerce had decided once a month the village would have a small festival to celebrate its' survival and the peace that followed the 4th Great Shinobi War. It wasn't much but the cart merchants were usually out in full force and if nothing else it was entertaining. "So where are you staying?" Naoki asked after the two had bought some sweet dango. "A motel." Mai said, looking away. It wasn't technically a lie, she would most likely end up staying at a motel… or on the roof of one… Naoki snorted and swallowed her food before she responded. "Mai, seriously, you are good at a lot of things but lying isn't one of your better skills." "I'm not-" Naoki fixed Mai with a stare that killed the words in her throat. "Well then I suppose you'll be staying with Kankuro and I." "But I-" Mai tried again and failed as her friend glared at her. "We have an extra room for guests anyway and if you feel uncomfortable at all Temari will return in a week so you can go stay with her. She's in Konoha most of the time anyway. I'm sure she'd like someone to keep up with her apartment while she's gone." Mai let a small smile grace her lips as she looked at the green medic. This is what she had craved, people looking out for her, caring about her. "Thank you, I'd be honored to stay with you." Naoki laughed and grabbed the shorter woman's arm as they continued down the street. "You might not feel that way after a few nights, thin walls and all." Mai shook her head as they walked, it would be an interesting next few days.